When the ancient Polynesians invented surfing, they often used a paddle to help them navigate. Fast-forward a few millennia, and Stand-Up Paddleboarding, or SUP, finds itself trendy again. Part of its increasing popularity is that standing upright allows surfers to spot waves more easily and thus catch more of them, multiplying the fun factor. Paddling back to the wave becomes less of a strain as well. The ability to cruise along on flat inland water, surveying the sights, is another advantage. Finally, its a good core workout. If youre sold on the idea, schedule an intro SUP lesson, free with board and paddle rental, and you may find yourself riding the waves like a Polynesian king.More

Many of us remember coming home from our elementary schools with freshly glazed pinchpots, cups, or whatever else our young imaginations could conjure up. Saturday mornings at the Randall Museum can bring that memory back, or create a new one for the youngsters. Ceramics make great gifts — especially on Mothers' and Fathers' Day. Hop on board for the Randall's once-weekly class, and for $6 and two weeks to have your work fired and glazed, you'll have all the materials you need.More

In case you've been TaskRabbiting your way through life and haven't had the chance to leave the micro-loft to stroll the alleys and streets of central San Francisco, the number of homeless tent encampments in town is approaching epic levels — as in Hooverville and Great Depression levels.

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Who among us does not love hip hop dance? If you made it to the 17th Annual San Francisco International Hip Hop Dancefest over the weekend, you were likely popping and locking a big fat grin. Friday night’s 12 acts each took a different tack — from the shadow-play storytelling of Academy of Villains to the modern-dance inflections of Loose Change to the acrobatic hijinx of The Ruggeds— but each and every dancer was saying yes. Yes, I am, and yes to life.

The audience was in on the message, calling back and cheering wildly. Cindy Claes’s solo did elicit a no, but that’s because she was performing a woman's struggle to keep her eyes on the prize rather than get hung up on a romance. Not a voice in the house was cheering for a Hollywood ending, and Claes did not disappoint. Oakland ‘tween girls group On Demand also had a great message, telling us with their bright costumes and bold moves by a range of body types not to be afraid to shine. I’d like to hear more of that, America.

Photo by Paul Hampartsoumian

Dancing by Cindy Claes

I also want to hear that black lives matter, because it truly can’t be said too often. Another Oakland act, Spulu, offered up a solo piece that paid tribute to the victims that spurred the current movement to eradicate the racist violence that remains as American as apple pie. Other acts also struck familiar narrative veins, such as 1Up Crew's tale of a nerd trying to hang with the cool crowd, and Face da Phlave's young woman coming-of-age story.

click to enlarge

Photo by Robbie Sweeney

Dancing by Spulu

A duo from Japan, Hilty & Bosch, left narrative behind, deftly performing against a video backdrop of rhythmic abstraction. Ladia Yates,Mix'dIngrdnts, and Versa-Style also stepped away from the more explicitly narrative and gave the audience the thrill of their movement for movement's sake. And maybe for the sake of challenging gravity and messing with assumptions about what the body and the booty can do when it gets the spirit.

Photo courtesty Hilty & Bosch

Dancing by Hilty & Bosch

The San Francisco International Hip Hop Dance Fest also featured master classes and a screening of the documentary Shake the Dust. At the end of the show on Friday, festival director Micaya pointed out that there are plans for the Palace of Fine Arts to be developed into a luxury hotel. You can join me and many others in saying no to that by signing a petition on the Hip Hop Dance Fest’s website. Come on now, San Francisco, let’s keep some spaces free for a different kind of shake down.

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Sub Pop recording artists 'clipping.' brought their brand of noise-driven experimental hip hop to the closing night of 2016's San Francisco Electronic Music Fest this past Sunday. The packed Brava Theater hosted an initially seated crowd that ended the night jumping and dancing against the front of the stage. The trio performed a set focused on their recently released Sci-Fi Horror concept album, 'Splendor & Misery', then delved into their dancier and more aggressive back catalogue, and recent single 'Wriggle'.
Opening performances included local experimental electronic duo 'Tujurikkuja' and computer music artist 'Madalyn Merkey.'"